Teardrop Butterfly
Chaetodon unimaculatus
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of Stock | 2.25 - 3.5" - SSC Certified - Central Pacific | Original price was: $97.99.$51.99Current price is: $51.99. | Email me | |
| Out of Stock | 2.25" or smaller - SSC Certified - Central Pacific | Original price was: $83.99.$44.99Current price is: $44.99. | Email me |
Every order ships with our standard 3-hour live arrival guarantee. Need more time? Add our 5-Day Guarantee at checkout.
Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
Shipping details →
Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe | No |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Omnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 90 gallons |
| Max Size | 8 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Teardrop Butterflyfish (Chaetodon unimaculatus) is an Indo-Pacific butterflyfish with a pale body, yellow back and fins, and a single black teardrop-shaped blotch on the upper flank. A bold eye band and narrow snout give it the classic butterflyfish profile. In an aquarium it spends its day cruising rockwork and open water, picking at surfaces as it searches for food.
What You’ll Observe:
- Steady, looping patrols along the rockwork, with quick passes into open water
- Frequent “pecking” at surfaces and careful inspection of crevices with its snout
- A consistent daily routine around feeding time, often moving to the front glass
- In larger displays, it may swim alongside other butterflyfish while keeping a comfortable spacing
Provide an established aquarium with open swimming room plus plenty of live rock for grazing and shelter. Offer a varied mix of meaty frozen foods along with algae-based foods, split into multiple small feedings to match its natural picking behavior. Because this species naturally feeds on corals, it’s best suited to fish-only or FOWLR displays where its foraging behavior fits the setup.
Is it normal for this fish to “peck” at rocks all day, even right after a meal?
Yes—many keepers notice constant grazing behavior, which matches how butterflyfish search for natural foods throughout the day.
Will it take food from the water column, or does it prefer food placed on a clip/rock?
Many individuals do both; offering a mix of floating foods and foods presented near the rockwork helps it feed in a way that feels natural.
Does it learn to recognize the keeper?
Butterflyfish are often very routine-driven and may begin meeting you at the glass when they associate you with feeding time.
Can it be kept with other butterflyfish without nonstop chasing?
In roomy aquariums, hobbyists often focus on giving each fish its own “lane” of rockwork and grazing space so they can spread out naturally.
Does having natural algae growth in the tank make a difference?
Many keepers like having some natural film or filamentous algae available so the fish has something to browse between scheduled feedings.
Shipped with pure oxygen and temperature control so it arrives stress-free and ready to eat.
Recently viewed products
